BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern


Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) after 16 months of negotiations.

 

The six-year deal governs rates of pay, work rules and health and welfare benefits for approximately 26 locomotive engineers and conductors at the shortline railroad. The agreement provides for retroactive pay to January 1, 2014 and runs through January 1, 2020. It was ratified by a 95-percent majority of workers who returned ballots.

The BLET’s ISRR membership belongs to Division 270 located in Washington, Ind., which is a part of the CP Rail-U.S. General Committee of Adjustment (GCA). The negotiating team consisted of National Vice President Cole Davis, CP Rail-U.S. General Chairman Pete Semenek, Division 270 Local Chairman Terry Braun and Division 270 Vice Local Chairman Cord Quakenbush.

BLET says there are several key improvements in the new contract including a new safety incentive bonus program. Semenek said this was a significant gain because the railroad was able to arbitrarily suspend a similar bonus program in the past.

Additionally, the members now have their health and welfare benefit plan outlined and protected by the new agreement. The contract also provides members with an increased personal protection allowance, which provides reimbursements for work-related safety purchases, such as work boots and prescription safety glasses. Semenek said the new deal also provides general wage increases of 21.7 percent compounded over the life of the contract when factoring in retroactive pay and future general wage increases.

BLET National President Dennis Pierce said, “I am particularly pleased at the high percentage of voter turnout and the overwhelming ratification of the contract. This contract will help our Indiana Southern members enjoy a better quality of life while affording them the protections that come from a strong union contract.”

 

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